6 Tips to Prepare You for Your First Appointment with A Back Dr in Paramus
April 06, 2021
Every day, over 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain. To support this, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders published data that suggests one in four people deals with back pain. Sometimes, pain can be so severe that it can make it difficult for them to sleep, concentrate on everyday activities, or enjoy life in general.
Acute and chronic back pain can come as a result of many causes, including natural wear and tear that comes with ageing, trauma to the back, or a herniated disc. Additionally, it can be triggered or made worse by unhealthy daily habits, such as bad posture, excessive lifting, sleeping on an old mattress, and so on.
Regardless of its nature, living with chronic pain can be very difficult and affect your life in numerous ways. If pain has become regular trouble, it is time your schedule a visit to a back Dr in Paramus. By seeking help from a board-certified pain doctor such as those you can find at Pain Treatment Specialists, you can get access to the latest treatment and improve your health condition.
If you are anxious about your first visit to a pain doctor, know that this is normal, and you are not the only one going through this. To help you out, below is a list of actionable advice you can take into consideration before going to your first appointment with a specialist.
1. Do your homework and get informed
Before your first visit to a pain clinic, do your due diligence and get informed about the type of pain specialists you may be needing to find there. If you are wondering what pain clinics are, they are medical facilities that specialize in diagnosing and treating chronic pain. This can include back, hip, leg, knee, shoulder, or neck pain and the conditions that cause them.
Expect to come in contact with various pain specialists, including physical therapists, doctors, nurses, and surgeons. Do not get too concerned at the mentioning of the word surgeon, as many pain doctors manage to help their patients find pain relief using minimally invasive treatment. Surgery will only be suggested if other non-invasive treatment options fail to improve your condition.
2. Be open and honest with your doctor
Typically, first appointments start out with a discussion between you and your doctor. They will want to find out as much as possible about your medical history in order to get to the root cause of the issue. Be prepared to discuss your symptoms, as well as if you have tried any pain management methods until now.
Tell your doctor any piece of information your think may be relevant to your condition, as it can help them better understand what you are experiencing. Make sure to mention if you have been diagnosed by another doctor before and, if you have medical documents such as scans or test results, make sure to bring them along. The doctor can analyze them to see if your condition has changed since then and in what way.
3. Get ready for a physical consultation
As you may already know, the appointment will also require a physical examination, during which the doctor will attempt to diagnose the symptoms. This is necessary so that the specialist can understand the severity of the pain and recommend what steps should be taken next.
The doctor will start with a regular checkup, which will involve measuring your pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate before moving on to a more detailed examination. If you have questions about the progress of the examination, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor.
Part of the physical consultation will include observing your posture, palpating areas that cause pain, or a more detailed examination of the spine. Your doctor may also ask you to perform certain physical activities, such as squats and rises, to observe how your back reacts.
4. Don’t expect an exact diagnosis after the first visit
Upon getting all the relevant information they need from the physical consultation, the back doctor may be able to put a preliminary diagnosis. However, don’t expect it to always be the case, as certain conditions may require further investigation. If your back doctor thinks they need more information before they can put a proper diagnosis, expect them to prescribe additional tests.
Even if the back doctor is able to communicate a proper diagnosis from the first visit, you may be asked to return for treatment. Usually, the specialist will recommend you start with minimally invasive treatment and see if it manages to improve your condition. If not, other methods of treatment, such as surgery, may be recommended.
5. Address any concerns that you may have
It is normal to have a lot of questions about your condition, especially if it’s your first time experiencing chronic back pain. A good back specialist knows patients want to be informed, so they will not hesitate to answer any questions you may have. If you want to, you can note the questions down and have them prepared before the appointment. This will ensure you get all the clarifications you need and can make informed decisions about your treatment.
Consider asking your doctor questions such as:
- What causes my back to hurt?
- Where can I find out more about my condition?
- Can you explain what treatment options I have?
- Are these symptoms normal for this condition?
- Should I avoid certain activities?
- How can I prevent further complications?
6. Don’t hesitate to bring someone with you
If you are in need of moral support, taking a friend with you is always an option. Although they will not be allowed to assist you during the consultation, knowing there is someone waiting for you outside is always reassuring. In many cases, going to the doctor scares people more than the idea of pain itself, but that’s because they fear the unknown, or in this case, the diagnosis.
Finding a doctor you trust can also help ease off these fears. At Pain Treatment Specialists, we are committed to assisting our patients in receiving adequate treatment and continuing to enjoy a pain-free life. If you are searching for a pain doctor in Paramus, NJ, contact us today and schedule an appointment! We are here to help you get your sciatica treated and continue living a pain-free life. book an appointment at our clinic in Paramus, just off NJ-17, near the Paramus Park Mall and the Garden State Plaza Mall. For more information, we are available for phone general inquiries as well – (855) 874-9670
Book a Consultation
Scheduling a consultation with one of our pain treatment specialists is one of the best ways to determine the proper solution for pain relief.
Meet Our Team of Back Pain Specialists
All of our Pain Doctors in New Jersey are Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management
Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ
Dr. George Hanna
Dr. Hanna is a Harvard Trained back specialist in New Jersey and New York. He serves as Medical Director of Pain Management.
Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ
Dr. Laura Lombardi
Dr. Lombardi is a Harvard Trained back pain treatment doctor, currently seeing patients in Clifton and West Orange, New Jersey.
Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ
Dr. Shane Volney
Dr. Volney is a Harvard Trained back treatment doctor seeing patients in the NJ areas of Clifton & West Orange, and in NYC.
Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ
Dr. Michael Nguyen
Dr. Nguyen is Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management. His pain center accepts major medical insurances and Medicare.
Dr. George Hanna
Dr. Laura Lombardi
Dr. Lombardi is a Harvard Trained back pain treatment doctor, currently seeing patients in Clifton and West Orange, and Paramus New Jersey.
Dr. Shane Volney
Dr. Volney is a Harvard Trained back treatment doctor seeing patients in the NJ areas of Clifton & West Orange, and in NYC.
Dr. Michael Nguyen
Dr. Nguyen is Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management. His pain center accepts major medical insurances and Medicare.